This is a big recruiting weekend for Maryland football—but it has nothing to do with Maryland

As we get closer to the dog days of summer, things are really starting to heat up with the 2018 recruiting cycle. Another one of those tedious dead periods ended Sunday, and as of Monday, we are officially in a quiet period, which means that recruits can visit campuses and meet with coaches, but coaches can’t visit prospects’ schools or homes.

This summer quiet period is a popular time for schools to hold big recruiting events at school for recruits to unofficially visit. Maryland is holding a big recruiting barbecue on the last weekend in July for many of its top targets and guys it’d like to keep in contact with. But this weekend is a big weekend for Terps recruiting too, even though they’re not hosting a big event.

Why? Because this weekend is Lasch Bash, Penn State’s annual big summer recruiting event, and several of Maryland’s top targets are expected to be in Happy Valley.

While the group represents some of Maryland’s top targets, all four appear to be Penn State leans heading into the weekend. The longer each goes without committing, the better the Terps’ chances get. If by Tuesday night of next week, none are committed, it’ll be a huge win for Maryland and will mean game on for DJ Durkin and the staff ... but that’s a big if.

In other news

Our Profiles in Terpage series continued yesterday with a couple young defensive linemen. Dion Goldbourne redshirted last season, but could be in line for some rotational play this year.

My high school classmate Adam McLean was the Terps’ highest-rated recruit in the Class of 2015, but has only seen a handful of snaps in his collegiate career. He may be an integral part of the defensive tackle rotation this season.

Maryland men’s basketball commit Jalen Smith dropped a double-double last night on the AAU circuit.

Aaron Wiggins, Maryland’s other 2018 commit, is on to the finals with teammate Devon Dotson, who’s a top-30 point guard and one of Mark Turgeon’s top targets. It’s safe to say Wiggins wants to remain teammates for a few more years.

The 2017 Big Ten Media Days are right around the corner. Jermaine Carter Jr., D.J. Moore and Ty Johnson will represent Maryland football alongside Durkin in Chicago. Here’s a full list of attendees.

Speaking of Ty Johnson, he earned a higher percentage of his yards on big plays than any other running back in the country last year. Lorenzo Harrison wasn’t too far behind.